It's a beautiful day, the sun is shining, the sky is blue and the Wallop Brook is trickling past. A couple of ducks bob up and down, and a dragon fly zips past.
I am at The Mill in Nether Wallop, a gorgeous building set in glorious grounds complete with its own fully stocked lake.
There's a thatched fishing lodge, and a small group of us have gathered to learn the art of fly-fishing.
Nothing too unusual in that - apart from the fact that all of us are women.
There's been a fishing school at The Mill for more than 50 years, meaning thousands of people have cast their first fly and netted their first fish here.
Our instructor for the day is also a woman - and a legend in fly-fishing circles - the rather aptly named Gilly Bate.
She discovered fly-fishing through her husband, and as her children followed into the sport, she also started learning more - becoming an expert in her field. Decades later, she's got a large following on social media, and quite frankly, can put most men to shame with the ease and grace with which she fishes.
I am an absolute newcomer to fishing, and don't really know what to expect, the others in my group have some experience, however not much, but that does not matter as Gilly takes us through everything we need to know and puts us all at ease.
After a cup of coffee, a couple of biscuits, some instruction, a knot tying lesson, and some practice at casting the line, we are ready to hit the lake.
Gilly shows us how it's done, and quickly pulls out the first fish, before setting it free again.
She makes it look easy. Now it's my turn and I am not really sure that I am doing things right - but it's certainly nice being outside in such a lovely place.
Then the shout comes - a fellow student has one on the line! There's a tussle, a bit of playing, and before long it's in the net.
"Now I know why they say the tug is the drug," she shouts excitedly.
Everything calms back down and just as my mind starts to drift to other places (it's a very relaxing sport), I feel a tug!
Gilly whizzes round to be by my side, and a few minutes later, I am shaking her hand and then holding a trout - otherwise known as tonight's dinner. Gosh what a thrill.
Everyone catches at least one fish before lunch - a truly successful day.
People on the course are given the option to either pack a lunch and enjoy it at the lodge, or a short drive away is the George Inn in Middle Wallop. Time poor as ever, I opt for the pub and it makes a nice break from the rather unusual hot day.
After lunch, we return for a lesson in all the different kinds of fly, and I am amazed by all the different types.
We take a river sample, and look at all the nature, nymphs and cray fish included, before having another chance to fish. Lures, nymphs, dry flies - my head is spinning.
Gilly also tells us of all the environmental work that she's involved with in the area, and how much the fishing school owner Simon Cooper cares about the river and its quality.
We are allowed to take home two fish, which Gilly shows us how to gut and fillet, and they make a hearty dinner. It has been a day packed full of learning new skills.
The whole day has been amazing, led by an amazing woman.
Gilly jokes that the instruction days she does with men are no different to the course she does with the ladies, however the ladies prefer a cup of tea and cake to round off the day, while most men crack open a beer. We enjoy our fruit cake and sum up the day, all with a sense of accomplishment.
If you want to step outside your comfort zone and try something different these course are a great introduction into a sport that's certainly not just for men.
There are courses running for all sexes, ages and abilities - go to fishingbreaks.co.uk to find out more.
A one day beginners course for ladies, which has a maximum group size of four, costs £215 and runs from 9.30am-5.30pm, with a break for lunch. Under Gilly's instruction, you will come away more confident and at the very least - be able to pick up a rod the right way round.
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